Though Panther Creek had never played in a playoff game before Tuesday, the Catamounts didn’t show any signs they didn’t know how to handle themselves in the postseason.

Panther Creek destoryed Wilmington Laney 78-37 Tuesday night in the first round of the NCHSAA 4-A tournament.

Forward Aaron Toney led a quartet of Catamounts in double figures. He scored a game-high 25, while Earnest Ross had 13 points, Marques Oliver 11 and Mike Hood 10.

“Every game, the last thing we say as a coaching staff to the team — it’s an old Carolina thing — play hard, play smart, play together,” said Panther Creek coach L.J. Hepp. “It was probably our best effort [this season] tonight doing those three things. We were really hungry.”

And it showed from the opening tip.

The Catamounts jumped out to a 10-4 by the end of the first quarter and opened the second quarter on a 14-0 run.

Laney went without a point for nearly 10 minutes in the first half, allowing Panther Creek to take a 24-4 lead with 3:12 left in the second quarter.

“We weren’t able to make shots, and they were so big, they shut us out inside,” said Laney coach Fred Lynch. “They did a tremendous job getting the ball inside and they played volleyball on the backboard. They shot until they made it.”

Panther Creek shot 55 percent from the field. Toney had a field day down low, making 12-of-16 field goals.

“I’m more patient with the ball,” said Toney, who has emerged over the last several weeks as a low-post threat to take some of the scoring pressure off Ross. “I’m taking my time. I was kind of rushing my shot before. Now I’m slowing it down.”

Panther Creek will hit the road to Fayetteville on Thursday to take on Terry Sanford (23-3), a 70-66 first-round winner over Durham Jordan. If the Catamounts win, they will face the East Chapel Hill/Fayetteville Westover winner Friday in Cary.

Middle Creek 56, Sanderson 47

For the third time this season, Middle Creek squeaked by Sanderson.

The Mustangs overcame 19 turnovers and defeated the Spartans 56-47 Tuesday.

Nelson Kirksey and Garrius Adams led Middle Creek (25-2) with 20 and 16 points.

Middle Creek will host Southern Pines Pinecrest, a 64-59 first-round winner over Fayetteville Cape Fear, on Thursday in the second round.

Apex 56, Scotland County 41

Of the three Tri-Eight teams to play their first-round playoff games on the road, Apex came away as the only winner.

The Cougars beat Scotland County 56-41 in Laurinburg. Tim Plummer and Weston Murphy scored 13 points apiece for Apex (15-12).

The Cougars will have a shorter road trip for their second-round game. They’re off to north Raleigh Thursday to face Cap-7 champion Millbrook (18-8), which squeaked by West Johnston 61-58 Tuesday.

Jack Britt 64, Green Hope 36

Green Hope’s season came to an end Tuesday in Fayetteville after suffering a 64-36 defeat at Jack Britt. Steven Edwards led the Falcons (16-9) with 10 points.

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Clayton 86, Athens Drive 78

Ulysses Watkins scored 27 points, but that wasn’t enough to lift Athens Drive over Greater Neuse champion Clayton on Tuesday.

The Comets ended the Jaguars season with an 86-78 defeat.

Athens Drive finishes the season 16-10.

Information from The News & Observer was used in this report.